Eli Jensen and the author hiking in a forest in Arizona discussing Jensen’s innovative methods.
Forest Architecture Forester Eli Jensen takes an innovative approach to the future of tree surveys BY MACK KOWALSKI
T
here are a few sentences that will instantly transport me back to my childhood. Smokey the Bear’s iconic phrase, “Only you can prevent forest fires!” is definitely one of them. Smokey’s campaign was so effective it had me scolding my father for tossing a cigarette out of the window of his Eddie Bauer edition Ford Bronco, and while this message played a crucial role in teaching youth how to help prevent forest fires, it turns out that the message wasn’t 100 percent accurate. I recently traveled to Flagstaff, Arizona, and spent some time hiking with Eli Jensen, the founder of Ironwood Forestry, LLC. Jensen told me all about the industry and science of forestry management. Foresters have a passion for proper forest management that is vital for the
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health and sustainability of our woodlands. Jensen is one forester who is at the forefront of transforming this field through the innovative use of lidar (light detection and ranging) technology.
TRADITIONAL TREE SURVEYS: A LABORIOUS AND LIMITED APPROACH
To fully appreciate the significance of Jensen’s work, it’s essential to understand the traditional methods of tree surveys. In the conventional approach, a forest is systematically divided into sections using a grid. Then, a statistically representative sample of these sections is selected for detailed examination. This is done due to the time-consuming nature of the surveying process, which involves crews meticulously measuring trees for parameters like diameter, height, species, and
signs of disease or damage. However, traditional surveys have inherent limitations. The labor-intensive nature of setting up plots and collecting data makes them expensive and time-consuming. Due to time constraints, only a small fraction of the forest can be surveyed, leaving gaps in the data and potentially missing important trends in specific areas. Furthermore, forests are dynamic ecosystems that constantly change due to growth, death, and disturbances. Traditional surveys may not capture these changes rapidly enough to provide a truly up-to-date picture.
BALANCING AESTHETICS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND TIMBER SALES
It turns out that it is actually really hard to see the forest for the trees. In the age of
Forester Eli Jensen works with lidar to help project what forests will look like after trees are cleared.